Deborah - A Judge and Prophetess
Judges 4 and 5
She was also, only one of four women designated as a prophetess in the Old Testament, and as such, she was said to transmit the word and the will of God.
Deborah judged Israel at the time that Jabin, king of Canaan ruled over Israel. She sat under a palm tree and helped the people settle disputes between each other. There the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
Jabin had ruled over Israel for 20 years and he made life miserable for the Israelites. Sisera was the commander of Jabin’s army and he had 900 chariots made of iron. The Israelites cried unto God for help so God sent Deborah a message.
Deborah sent and called for Barak, the commander of Israel's army, and said unto him, “The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: ‘Go, take with you ten thousand men and lead them to Mount Tabor. I will lead Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and I will give him into your hands.”’
Barak evidently didn’t trust God as he should because he told Deborah, “If you go with me, I will go, but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.”
Deborah said, “I will go with you, but because of what you are asking, the honor will not be given to you, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.”
So Deborah went with Barak to Kadesh.
Then God helped Barak and his army kill every one of Sisera's men. The LORD caused confusion among Sisera and his army so Sisera left his chariot and ran away on foot. His troops fled back down the valley, but Barak’s men destroyed them before they could get inside the city walls.
Sisera ran in panic trying to find a safe place to hide. There had been peace between Jabin the king and a man named Heber so he made his way to his tent. Jael, Heber’s wife, ran out to meet him and said, “Come, my lord, come right in. Don’t be afraid.”
Sisera entered her tent and she covered him with a blanket. “I’m thirsty,” he said, “please give me some water.” Jael gave him some milk instead, possibly to help him fall asleep, and she covered him up.
“Stand in the doorway of the tent,” he told her, “If someone comes by and asks you is any man here, you shall tell them no.”
When Sisera fell asleep, Jael went softly to where he lay, and used a hammer to drive a tent nail through his head.
Barak pursued Sisera, and when he came to Jael’s tent she went out to meet him and said, “Come, I will show you the man you are looking for.” And when he came into her tent, Sisera lay dead with a nail in his head.
After the rest of Sisera’s army was defeated, Jael’s heroism was celebrated in a song. Just as Deborah said, a woman did receive the credit!
So that day God subdued Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel. And the children of Israel prospered and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed him. And under the rule of Deborah the people had peace for 40 years.
What can we learn from this story?
Be obedient.
If God is telling you to do something or go somewhere, despite your fears, listen to His call. He has plans that we cannot begin to understand, and hearts and lives may be changed by our obedience.
Be courageous.
The old saying "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called" applies here. Doing something out of your comfort zone to glorify God can be terrifying, but faith was never promised to be easy. Be bold. Be courageous - for His glory.
Stand true.
Never waiver in your faith. We may not always know what the road ahead will look like, but we only need to remember that God will faithfully guide us and lead the way.
Remember.
Your strength comes from the Lord, not yourself. Like Deborah, you can have victory in life's worst times if you cling tightly to God.
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